Page 57 of The Boss

The passion we’d shared felt like nothing more than a dream or maybe an unwanted fantasy. I’d wanted to think of the time spent as just another nightmare, but that wasn’t the truth. God knew the last thing I needed to do was to keep lying to myself.

My family wasn’t the classic nuclear one you watched on Hallmark. At least my brother wasn’t. Right now, the security was tight, more so than before. I’d had a guard assigned to me since the moment I’d returned with Dimitrios. Since I’d been such a bad girl and all.

I needed some fresh air. At this point, I didn’t care if I was allowed to go outside on my own or not. After glancing over my shoulder, thankful I didn’t see the oversized brute assigned to me, I tried the handle of the door.

The fresh air felt good as soon as it hit my skin, the bright sun tingling every inch of my exposed arms. I gripped the scarf of my mother’s I’d taken, exchanging it with the necklace. The beautiful piece of jewelry had been purchased using blood money. I was positive of it.

It was back in the box it had come in. Maybe I’d sell the expensive piece for living expenses.

If I was allowed a divorce. Dimitrios was a thorough man. He’d make certain our marriage was legal in every way. Was divorce even possible in this country?

A soft yet bitter laugh threatened to give me away. I almost didn’t care. I headed straight for the pool I’d seen but had yet to visit. I couldn’t believe I’d agreed to such a sinful deal.

A sudden presence made me cringe. The brute had found me.

“You aren’t allowed out here,” he told me. I hadn’t even learned his name. It just didn’t seem important.

“I’m staying.”

“I can’t allow you to do that. Mr. Nomikos’ orders.”

“Tough.” I walked around the pool, trying to take my time, but as big as the man was, he was suddenly on me, jerking my arm. “Let go of me.”

“Listen, little girl. You will do as I say.”

“No, I won’t.” I managed to jerk my arm away, but my freedom was short lived. He was horrible enough to grab me again, starting to drag me toward the house.

“Let her go,” a deep male voice bellowed.

The brute did, but he grumbled before doing it. I rubbed my arm, surprised his grip had hurt like hell.

“She was trying to escape,” the brute stated. The man’s tone was full of arrogance.

“I was not. I was taking a walk. What’s wrong with getting fresh air?”

The brute made the mistake of baring and gritting his teeth. Did I hear him growling?

Evidently, I was right, Dimitrios advancing quickly. He had the man by the throat in seconds. I was shocked when he managed to jerk the guy onto his toes. The brute was at least twenty pounds heavier.

“An tolmíseis na tis váleis xaná éna dáchtylo, tha se skotóso.” Dimitrios’ voice was full of rage, his entire body tense from anger.

“Yes, sir.”

“Get the fuck out of my face.” Dimitrios used tremendous force when he pushed the man off, the brute tumbling over one of the pool chairs and falling on his ass.

At least the man wasn’t stupid enough to react, only climbing to his feet and walking away.

“Fuck. Asshole,” Dimitrios groaned.

“What did you say to him?”

“I told him if he dared lay a finger on you again, I would kill him.”

It was the second time he’d showed a sign of jealousy. He was still huffing, even pacing the pool deck.

I glanced toward the soldier before moving closer to my soon to be husband, placing my hand on his arm. He acted startled as if I’d burned him. “While I appreciate your concern, I can take care of myself, you know. You don’t need to fight all my battles.”

I’d never seen his features so hard, the continued fury flashing in his eyes. Thankfully, he softened only a few seconds later.